I have always had an issue with hand sewing quilt bindings. My problem is that I procrastinate something awful and put off finishing those bindings for a very long time. Years in fact. It isn't that it is difficult, I just find it B.o.r.i.n.g. It is better when I can sit with an audiobook and listen to something entertaining to pass the time. For the past couple of years, my schedule has been so busy that I just don't have time to sit for an hour or so at a time to do this handwork. Many people advise me, "Oh, you should do it in front of the tv in the evening". That just doesn't work for me. I am rubbish at sewing in the evening. The light is never good enough and I drink a couple of glasses of chardonnay every night, which does not lend itself to nice stitching.
So, my quilts pile up. They are quilted, the binding is partially sewn on, it just needs to be sewn down by hand. And I do not do it. I am not kidding, I must have ten quilts sitting around waiting for me to finish the binding. Hang on a minute, I am going to go count them. Be right back.
Eight.
Better than I thought. But still. I just sent five table toppers to be quilted, which will bring my total up to 13, so there.
This brings me to the point of this blog post. I discovered a tutorial by one of my favorite quilt designers, Vanessa at Lella Boutique. On Instagram and on her blog, Vanessa demonstrates her method for stitching quilt bindings by machine. The process involves Elmer's School Glue, believe it or not. Her Instagram post is a video, and her blog post goes into great detail with photos as to her binding method and machine stitching process.
So, what do you think? Do you want to take a look at her method and give it a try with me?
I won't have a chance to sew again until Sunday, but with luck, maybe I can have one or two bindings done to share on Monday? If any of you try it as well, please report back to us and let us know how it went, ok?
66 responses to “Machine Binding: Shall We Give It a Try?”
That is basically how I learned to machine bind my quilts when I bought my Pfaff 20+ years ago, without the Elmer’s! I did it on one or two small quilts, but missed the hand stitching, so went back to it. I love the peacefulness of handstitching the binding down, maybe it’s strange but I feel like it brings closure to the quilt for me, it’s all part of the process and is actually one of my favorite parts! I usually do it as soon as I finish quilting, I don’t think I’ve ever had a stack of them to bind since I love doing it. Am I weird?
That is basically how I learned to machine bind my quilts when I bought my Pfaff 20+ years ago, without the Elmer’s! I did it on one or two small quilts, but missed the hand stitching, so went back to it. I love the peacefulness of handstitching the binding down, maybe it’s strange but I feel like it brings closure to the quilt for me, it’s all part of the process and is actually one of my favorite parts! I usually do it as soon as I finish quilting, I don’t think I’ve ever had a stack of them to bind since I love doing it. Am I weird?
That is basically how I learned to machine bind my quilts when I bought my Pfaff 20+ years ago, without the Elmer’s! I did it on one or two small quilts, but missed the hand stitching, so went back to it. I love the peacefulness of handstitching the binding down, maybe it’s strange but I feel like it brings closure to the quilt for me, it’s all part of the process and is actually one of my favorite parts! I usually do it as soon as I finish quilting, I don’t think I’ve ever had a stack of them to bind since I love doing it. Am I weird?
I also don’t like to hand stitch my binding. I have used this method of binding for years but without the glue. I would think the glue could gunk up your needle. Hope you can get your quilts finished 🙂
I also don’t like to hand stitch my binding. I have used this method of binding for years but without the glue. I would think the glue could gunk up your needle. Hope you can get your quilts finished 🙂
I also don’t like to hand stitch my binding. I have used this method of binding for years but without the glue. I would think the glue could gunk up your needle. Hope you can get your quilts finished 🙂
I, too, love to hand sew the binding on. It makes me stop and think about everything that’s going on, and then some days my mind just doesn’t think at all, and peace descends upon me. It is a great feeling of accomplishment for me to see it through to the end. I love that part of the craft. I think I was born in the wrong century, but it really does fulfill me.
I, too, love to hand sew the binding on. It makes me stop and think about everything that’s going on, and then some days my mind just doesn’t think at all, and peace descends upon me. It is a great feeling of accomplishment for me to see it through to the end. I love that part of the craft. I think I was born in the wrong century, but it really does fulfill me.
I, too, love to hand sew the binding on. It makes me stop and think about everything that’s going on, and then some days my mind just doesn’t think at all, and peace descends upon me. It is a great feeling of accomplishment for me to see it through to the end. I love that part of the craft. I think I was born in the wrong century, but it really does fulfill me.
I save my evening stitching time for my renewed love of cross stitch. I sew my bindings on the same way, except I cut my binding 2.25″ because I like a skinnier binding. Sew on front with quarter inch seam allowance. Lay quilt on ironing board top side up and press binding away from the quilt. I fold the binding back as I sew and stitch in the ditch, pinning the corners as I come to them to place the miters. I skip the glue. Judy Laquidara and Jo Kramer both have excellent videos on Youtube.
I save my evening stitching time for my renewed love of cross stitch. I sew my bindings on the same way, except I cut my binding 2.25″ because I like a skinnier binding. Sew on front with quarter inch seam allowance. Lay quilt on ironing board top side up and press binding away from the quilt. I fold the binding back as I sew and stitch in the ditch, pinning the corners as I come to them to place the miters. I skip the glue. Judy Laquidara and Jo Kramer both have excellent videos on Youtube.
I save my evening stitching time for my renewed love of cross stitch. I sew my bindings on the same way, except I cut my binding 2.25″ because I like a skinnier binding. Sew on front with quarter inch seam allowance. Lay quilt on ironing board top side up and press binding away from the quilt. I fold the binding back as I sew and stitch in the ditch, pinning the corners as I come to them to place the miters. I skip the glue. Judy Laquidara and Jo Kramer both have excellent videos on Youtube.
Oh how I wish I could sew those bindings down for you! One of my favorite parts of making a quilt. I am so uncomfortable with machine sewing binding, I hand sew the binding on bags and totes too!
Hope it works for you. Perhaps I should take a peek at that video too.
Oh how I wish I could sew those bindings down for you! One of my favorite parts of making a quilt. I am so uncomfortable with machine sewing binding, I hand sew the binding on bags and totes too!
Hope it works for you. Perhaps I should take a peek at that video too.
Oh how I wish I could sew those bindings down for you! One of my favorite parts of making a quilt. I am so uncomfortable with machine sewing binding, I hand sew the binding on bags and totes too!
Hope it works for you. Perhaps I should take a peek at that video too.
Wished I lived closer to you so I could sew your bindings down for you. Love to do this in the evening. cl
Wished I lived closer to you so I could sew your bindings down for you. Love to do this in the evening. cl
Wished I lived closer to you so I could sew your bindings down for you. Love to do this in the evening. cl
I sew bindings down by hand or machine depending on the use. Special quilts get the hand work still but I have caved in to the machine sewn on charity and quilts that will be well used. I sew on back and sew down the machine stitch on the front side. I use mono filament in the bobbin and it just kind of disappears. I still think hand sewn bindings are better but my hands and eyes argue about that these days. Some machines have feed dogs that line up better than others to make the top stitching better. If you have more than one machine you might find that a certain machine will be happier doing this than another. Just my findings. I have a friend that has a presser foot that she says makes it easier. With all that binding to do you can do some experimenting! No we are looking forward to seeing your finished quilts.
I sew bindings down by hand or machine depending on the use. Special quilts get the hand work still but I have caved in to the machine sewn on charity and quilts that will be well used. I sew on back and sew down the machine stitch on the front side. I use mono filament in the bobbin and it just kind of disappears. I still think hand sewn bindings are better but my hands and eyes argue about that these days. Some machines have feed dogs that line up better than others to make the top stitching better. If you have more than one machine you might find that a certain machine will be happier doing this than another. Just my findings. I have a friend that has a presser foot that she says makes it easier. With all that binding to do you can do some experimenting! No we are looking forward to seeing your finished quilts.
I sew bindings down by hand or machine depending on the use. Special quilts get the hand work still but I have caved in to the machine sewn on charity and quilts that will be well used. I sew on back and sew down the machine stitch on the front side. I use mono filament in the bobbin and it just kind of disappears. I still think hand sewn bindings are better but my hands and eyes argue about that these days. Some machines have feed dogs that line up better than others to make the top stitching better. If you have more than one machine you might find that a certain machine will be happier doing this than another. Just my findings. I have a friend that has a presser foot that she says makes it easier. With all that binding to do you can do some experimenting! No we are looking forward to seeing your finished quilts.
I machine bind all of my quilts. It’s quick and easy and sturdy and I love the way it looks, and then the quilt is done! Don’t let anyone guilt you into thinking that hand binding is the only way to go. 😂 I use a tutorial from Crazy Mom Quilts, but there are lots of good ones out there. The glue method sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see how it goes!
I machine bind all of my quilts. It’s quick and easy and sturdy and I love the way it looks, and then the quilt is done! Don’t let anyone guilt you into thinking that hand binding is the only way to go. 😂 I use a tutorial from Crazy Mom Quilts, but there are lots of good ones out there. The glue method sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see how it goes!
I machine bind all of my quilts. It’s quick and easy and sturdy and I love the way it looks, and then the quilt is done! Don’t let anyone guilt you into thinking that hand binding is the only way to go. 😂 I use a tutorial from Crazy Mom Quilts, but there are lots of good ones out there. The glue method sounds interesting. Can’t wait to see how it goes!
I never minded doing it by hand but I did mind the time involved. I’d rather spend that on my next quilt! I’ve been machine binding for about 5 years now. I don’t glue or anything. I just am very careful to make that first side nice and straight; then I iron it out, flip the quilt over and then fold and iron that binding in place, putting lots of clips on it as I go. This works super-well for me. Not always perfect but close enough for this picky/OCD quilter!
I never minded doing it by hand but I did mind the time involved. I’d rather spend that on my next quilt! I’ve been machine binding for about 5 years now. I don’t glue or anything. I just am very careful to make that first side nice and straight; then I iron it out, flip the quilt over and then fold and iron that binding in place, putting lots of clips on it as I go. This works super-well for me. Not always perfect but close enough for this picky/OCD quilter!
I never minded doing it by hand but I did mind the time involved. I’d rather spend that on my next quilt! I’ve been machine binding for about 5 years now. I don’t glue or anything. I just am very careful to make that first side nice and straight; then I iron it out, flip the quilt over and then fold and iron that binding in place, putting lots of clips on it as I go. This works super-well for me. Not always perfect but close enough for this picky/OCD quilter!
Thanks for the link on sewing the binding by machine. I have never tried it before but this tutorial would be very helpful,
Thanks for the link on sewing the binding by machine. I have never tried it before but this tutorial would be very helpful,
Thanks for the link on sewing the binding by machine. I have never tried it before but this tutorial would be very helpful,
I tried it on a small quilt for a toddler. Awful. I was so disappointed. I hope you have better luck.
I tried it on a small quilt for a toddler. Awful. I was so disappointed. I hope you have better luck.
I tried it on a small quilt for a toddler. Awful. I was so disappointed. I hope you have better luck.
I do the back stitching on binding in the evening watching TV most of the time. Right now , I have a year of Covid unfinished quilts sitting in my quiltroom. I can’t seem to finish anything in a timely fashion. I need a reboot to get going. I think you have convinced me to make a list of the “undones” today and get a better handle on it. Would like to think there will be a return to some normal soon. Take care.
Mary
I do the back stitching on binding in the evening watching TV most of the time. Right now , I have a year of Covid unfinished quilts sitting in my quiltroom. I can’t seem to finish anything in a timely fashion. I need a reboot to get going. I think you have convinced me to make a list of the “undones” today and get a better handle on it. Would like to think there will be a return to some normal soon. Take care.
Mary
I do the back stitching on binding in the evening watching TV most of the time. Right now , I have a year of Covid unfinished quilts sitting in my quiltroom. I can’t seem to finish anything in a timely fashion. I need a reboot to get going. I think you have convinced me to make a list of the “undones” today and get a better handle on it. Would like to think there will be a return to some normal soon. Take care.
Mary
I’m one of those people who also love to hand sew the backs of bindings. I’ve also sewed the binding on to the back, turned it to the front and then machine sewed it to the front. It looks great on the front but the back never seems to line up. I’ll look forward to seeing how this works for you! P.S. if I lived closer, I’d do your bindings for you!
I’m one of those people who also love to hand sew the backs of bindings. I’ve also sewed the binding on to the back, turned it to the front and then machine sewed it to the front. It looks great on the front but the back never seems to line up. I’ll look forward to seeing how this works for you! P.S. if I lived closer, I’d do your bindings for you!
I’m one of those people who also love to hand sew the backs of bindings. I’ve also sewed the binding on to the back, turned it to the front and then machine sewed it to the front. It looks great on the front but the back never seems to line up. I’ll look forward to seeing how this works for you! P.S. if I lived closer, I’d do your bindings for you!
It’s too bad I don’t live near you because I’d do them for you. I love hand binding. I too have the several glasses of chardonnay a night but it doesn’t affect my sewing. Years ago I took an applique class. I hate applique but it helped me learn a prettier stitch to hand sew binding. My advice is just suck it up and do it by hand. Machine binding never looks as good as by hand, IMHO.
It’s too bad I don’t live near you because I’d do them for you. I love hand binding. I too have the several glasses of chardonnay a night but it doesn’t affect my sewing. Years ago I took an applique class. I hate applique but it helped me learn a prettier stitch to hand sew binding. My advice is just suck it up and do it by hand. Machine binding never looks as good as by hand, IMHO.
It’s too bad I don’t live near you because I’d do them for you. I love hand binding. I too have the several glasses of chardonnay a night but it doesn’t affect my sewing. Years ago I took an applique class. I hate applique but it helped me learn a prettier stitch to hand sew binding. My advice is just suck it up and do it by hand. Machine binding never looks as good as by hand, IMHO.
I love to hand-sew bindings. But for the last year or so I’ve been doing them by machine. Very sturdy, look good, and completed so much more quickly! I have never used glue. My wonder clips keep everything in place nicely. Try it! I think you’ll like it!
I love to hand-sew bindings. But for the last year or so I’ve been doing them by machine. Very sturdy, look good, and completed so much more quickly! I have never used glue. My wonder clips keep everything in place nicely. Try it! I think you’ll like it!
I love to hand-sew bindings. But for the last year or so I’ve been doing them by machine. Very sturdy, look good, and completed so much more quickly! I have never used glue. My wonder clips keep everything in place nicely. Try it! I think you’ll like it!
I read the blog instructions & the machine sewn binding process is interesting. I’m looking forward to your review once you’ve tried her method. I do agree with your group of readers who enjoy & find ‘closure’ in hand sewing binding down. …sigh…something for everyone, right?
I read the blog instructions & the machine sewn binding process is interesting. I’m looking forward to your review once you’ve tried her method. I do agree with your group of readers who enjoy & find ‘closure’ in hand sewing binding down. …sigh…something for everyone, right?
I read the blog instructions & the machine sewn binding process is interesting. I’m looking forward to your review once you’ve tried her method. I do agree with your group of readers who enjoy & find ‘closure’ in hand sewing binding down. …sigh…something for everyone, right?
After trying flange binding I doubt I’ll ever go back to hand binding again. There a quite a few YouTube videos for flange binding. It takes a little longer to make the binding but well worth the effort. The binding is first sewn on the back then the front. I do love hand stitching but save that for English paper piecing.
After trying flange binding I doubt I’ll ever go back to hand binding again. There a quite a few YouTube videos for flange binding. It takes a little longer to make the binding but well worth the effort. The binding is first sewn on the back then the front. I do love hand stitching but save that for English paper piecing.
After trying flange binding I doubt I’ll ever go back to hand binding again. There a quite a few YouTube videos for flange binding. It takes a little longer to make the binding but well worth the effort. The binding is first sewn on the back then the front. I do love hand stitching but save that for English paper piecing.
I like the look of hand stitched binding best but I save it for special quilts. I’ve tried MANY methods for machine binding, this is what works best for me.
Sew binding to front of quilt as usual. Press binding away from quilt. Flip quilt over then press binding down and over quilt edge, use wonder clips to hold in place. Stitch binding down from front of quilt using thread that matches either the border color (if quilt has a border) or matches the quilting thread color. Looks very neat from the front and nicely mitered corners are on front.
I like the look of hand stitched binding best but I save it for special quilts. I’ve tried MANY methods for machine binding, this is what works best for me.
Sew binding to front of quilt as usual. Press binding away from quilt. Flip quilt over then press binding down and over quilt edge, use wonder clips to hold in place. Stitch binding down from front of quilt using thread that matches either the border color (if quilt has a border) or matches the quilting thread color. Looks very neat from the front and nicely mitered corners are on front.
I like the look of hand stitched binding best but I save it for special quilts. I’ve tried MANY methods for machine binding, this is what works best for me.
Sew binding to front of quilt as usual. Press binding away from quilt. Flip quilt over then press binding down and over quilt edge, use wonder clips to hold in place. Stitch binding down from front of quilt using thread that matches either the border color (if quilt has a border) or matches the quilting thread color. Looks very neat from the front and nicely mitered corners are on front.
I stitch almost all my bindings by machine. One tip, if you use fusible thread in the bobbin when first attaching the binding, then flip it over and place the folded edge on the fusible thread. Press. This holds it in place while you do the final stitching.
I stitch almost all my bindings by machine. One tip, if you use fusible thread in the bobbin when first attaching the binding, then flip it over and place the folded edge on the fusible thread. Press. This holds it in place while you do the final stitching.
I stitch almost all my bindings by machine. One tip, if you use fusible thread in the bobbin when first attaching the binding, then flip it over and place the folded edge on the fusible thread. Press. This holds it in place while you do the final stitching.
Looked up her blog on how to machine a border but it has never bothered me hand sewing just taking my time and listening to the radio or an audio book.
Looked up her blog on how to machine a border but it has never bothered me hand sewing just taking my time and listening to the radio or an audio book.
Looked up her blog on how to machine a border but it has never bothered me hand sewing just taking my time and listening to the radio or an audio book.
Even though most of my quilt blocks are machine sewn, I always hand sew my binding down. I’ve debated about machine sewing them down, but I really like how the hand sewn binding looks. I hope you have good luck trying the machine binding. Have fun!
Even though most of my quilt blocks are machine sewn, I always hand sew my binding down. I’ve debated about machine sewing them down, but I really like how the hand sewn binding looks. I hope you have good luck trying the machine binding. Have fun!
Even though most of my quilt blocks are machine sewn, I always hand sew my binding down. I’ve debated about machine sewing them down, but I really like how the hand sewn binding looks. I hope you have good luck trying the machine binding. Have fun!
The only thing I hate about quilting is hand turning the binding. I usually make utility quilts for charities, so a few years ago I decided to give machine bindings a try. Now the only thing I hand turn are my “special” quilts. I’ve never used glue. Good luck.
The only thing I hate about quilting is hand turning the binding. I usually make utility quilts for charities, so a few years ago I decided to give machine bindings a try. Now the only thing I hand turn are my “special” quilts. I’ve never used glue. Good luck.
The only thing I hate about quilting is hand turning the binding. I usually make utility quilts for charities, so a few years ago I decided to give machine bindings a try. Now the only thing I hand turn are my “special” quilts. I’ve never used glue. Good luck.